ORAS OU A set that sweeps the nation

[Jayderson]

Hello! Jayderson here to see what I should do with this team I've been building. It consists of Pokemon that can sweep in many diverse ways. I was wondering what tweaks I should make to help them out!

Snek (Serperior)
Ability: Contrary
Item: Lum Berry
Ev Spread: 252 Speed/252 Sp. Attack/ 4 Sp. Defense
Nature: Timid

• Leaf Storm
• Dragon Pulse
• Giga Drain
• Synthesis

Snek is here for the powerful attack set up, allowing it to attack it's opponents to do major damage, while gaining special attack in the process. What makes Snek so valuable to the team is their speed, allowing them to out-speed many others, such as Garchomp and even Gengar. I give it a lum berry to counter things like toxic spikes,thunder wave, or even will-o-wisp. Allowing Snek to switch in safely.

Snip Snip~ (Gliscor)
Ability: Poison Heal
Item: Toxic Orb
Ev Spread: 248 Hp/ 188 Defense/ 72 Speed
Nature: Impish

• Toxic
• Earthquake
• Protect
• Knockoff

Snip Snip~ has a great movepool and ability in poison heal, allowing it to get much of it's health back as well as prevent status effects. It runs Toxic to poison it's enemies and protect to 1: Deal Toxic Damage, and 2: To give it a turn to let toxic orb take effect. Earthquake is for stab that allows it to deal some good damage as well as hit steel and fire types. I wanted to run substitute instead of knock off to create the best stall I could, but I came across the problem of one Pokemon in particular: Gengar. With Gengar's poison typing and ability Levitate, Snip could be my last Pokemon, and I would stand no chance, so in order to help save me in a few battles, I switched Substitute for Knock off.

Mega Unknown (Sigilyph)
Ability: Magic Guard
Item: Flame Orb
Ev Spread: 248 Hp/ 252 Sp. Defense/ 8 Defense.
Nature: Calm

• Cosmic Power
• Stored Power
• Roost
• Ancient Power

Mega is a great set up wall, having access to Cosmic Power and Stored power, it is able to get all the way up in defense, and then sweep the enemy with stored power. Roost is for healing up when it's hp gets low, and ancient power is to deal with dark types, seeing as Stored power can't hit them, and there's a chance to get even more boosts from the attack. I run a Flame Orb purely to prevent possible paralysis, since it is the only status condition that can effect Mega.

Armored Gallade (Bisharp)
Ability: Defiant
Item: Life Orb
Ev Spread: 252 Attack/ 252 Speed/ 4 Sp. Defense
Nature: Jolly

• Sucker Punch
• Knock off
• Iron Head
• Low Kick

A.G is a good lead with his defiant ability, because it allows him to counter Landorous-T leads, making intimidate obsolete. He has Jolly nature to help him out speed Pokemon that have 70 base speed. He runs Knock off to hurt Pokemon while they set up/ deal damage to Pokemon that are slower than him. Sucker punch is used as a last attacking move for A.G in case his health drops (due to Life orb/Getting attacked) or just to out speed and deal good damage. Iron head is for possible flinching in case of Slower and Bulkier mons, and I run Low kick for heavier Pokemon/Weavile. He also carries Life orb just to deal a little extra damage.

Back in my Day (Forretress)
Ability: Sturdy
Item: Leftovers
Ev Spread: 252 Hp/ 252 Defense/ 4 Attack
Nature: Impish

• Spikes
• Toxic Spikes
• Stealth Rocks
• Explosion

Forretress is another great lead due to set up, and pairs up with Snip as well, due to possibly getting a toxic condition, before Snips is even sent out. He runs Leftovers to get a little bit of hp back, but has sturdy as well, so I can get at least one move out, (In case of Fire). The order I use his attacks goes in such: Stealth Rocks, Toxic Spikesx2, then Spikesx3, and if at any point my hp gets to a spot where I know Forretress only has one move left, I use Explosion to deal as much damage as I can. While Forretress isn't really able to sweep himself, he adds to the sweeping possibility with the major hazard damage he can do.

Just Saiyan (Azumarill)
Ability: Huge Power
Item: Sitrus Berry
Ev Spread: 252 Hp/ 252 Attack/ 4 Sp. Defense
Nature: Adamant

• Belly Drum
• Aqua Jet
• Play Rough
• Return

Saiyan is probably the best sweeper I have, with only having to use Belly Drum before being able to take out at least 3 Pokemon. Aqua Jet is my go to move, seeing as Saiyan is easily ohko'd or twoko'd. But I do have Play rough if my health is high enough, and return as well, in case there is a pokemon that could resist either attack.

Keep in mind that I am still relatively new to Smogon, so my team building may not be the best. I appreciate any and all help, thanks!

 

[Cenamazing]

Change you're Serperior's Moveset and item
First thing's first is to change Serperior's item. Serperior doesn't care about burns or toxic because it's a special sweeper, so it switches out enough for toxic to not be a problem, and it doesn't care about the attack drop from burns. Thunder Wave is the only real problem, and you shouldn't waste your item slot on countering that. The extra power is much more useful. Secondly, if you want to run offensive Serperior, than do it. Using Synthesis and Giga Drain on an offensive Serperior is pointless, as it's a pokemon meant to set up fast and destroy it's opponents through sheer power. The set you're running removes extra utility from Serperior including Hidden Power Fire to deal with the ever-present Ferrothorn and Scizor, and Taunt to deal with stalling pokemon like Chansey. This Serperior set is much more useful than the one you had before.
Serperior @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power Fire
- Taunt
Replace Foretress with Excadrill
Hazard-stacking can work, but you're team lacks any sort of spinblocker, and your Foretress is destroyed by Taunt. Not only that, but you're team has no means of removing hazards. Finally, Foretress has no offensive presence whatsoever. Excadrill fixes all of these problems. By using Mold Breaker Excadrill, you can still set up rocks, but you can still hold your own and you aren't destroyed by taunt.
Excadrill @ Leftovers
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Replace Belly Drum Azumarill with a Banded Set
Considering you're new to the game, Belly Drum may seem like a powerful prospect. But later on, you'll find how hard it is to get an opportunity to set up with it. The only way to properly use the BD set is through careful planning and basing your entire team around it. I believe that for beginners attempting to get higher on the ladder, it's much easier to simply use the banded set instead. Azumarill's attack skyrockets with a Choice Band, and turns it into a potent wallbreaker with priority in Aqua Jet and a useful Fairy Typing. I believe you will have much more success with this set. Banded Azumarill + Serperior is also a very powerful offensive core that can break through many different pokemon together.
Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Superpower
Replace Sigilyph with Mega Charizard X
Now to be fair, Mega Charizard X and Sigilyph couldn't be more different, but Sigilyph really does nothing for your team. It's only a gimmik and not a useful set-up sweeper. I decided I would replace it with a better set-up sweeper, one that could become an instant threat in one turn. You also needed an offensive Fire type, as well as offensive dragon coverage. In the end, I chose Mega Charizard X as the best fit. With one Dragon Dance, this thing can become the most threatening thing on the field. Pokemon you'd think would be counters like Clefable can be broken through using this thing's amazing typing and potential power. This is one of the metagame's biggest threats, and a great fit on your team.
Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Claw
- Roost
Replace Gliscor with Thundurus
Again, I'm replacing a pokemon with something compleately different, but Gliscor did absolutely nothing for your team. Gliscor is one of those pokemon that looks good on paper, but overall, can't do too much in the metagame because of how outclassed it is. Instead, I chose to pick a pokemon that had a ground immunity as the team is pretty weak to ground, had ice and electric coverage, and synnergized with Mega Charizard X. Thundurus is the perfect pokemon for the job. Zard X hates Hippodown, Quagsire, and Mega Slowbro can be destroyed with Thundurus' grass knot. It also runs Thunder Wave + Prankster so you're team can outpace everything even more.
Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
Replace Bisharp with Tornadus-T
Bisharp could really be replaced by any pivot, as a pivot is the final thing you're team needs. But Rotom-W wouldn't have been as useful because you already have physically defensive pokemon on you're team, and Torn-T can also run Knock Off which compensates more for the loss of Bisharp. Finally, it gets more reliable recovery in regenerator, which is always useful. Torn-T runs Assault Vest, and should be switched in on pokemon it can counter like Keldeo or Serperior. Whenever you do switch it in, be sure to avoid using it's main attacks until late game, instead wearing the opposing team down with U-Turn and Knock Off. It's much stronger than it looks, and will help you against powerful special attackers, rounding your team off.
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hurricane
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Knock Off
This team is considerably more effective than it was before. I realize I replaced almost all the pokemon on you're team, and I really did try to avoid that, but you can't just throw six gimmick pokemon into a team. Pokemon like Serperior and Belly Drum Azumarill require their own seperate support, and you didn't give them the support they need. None of the pokemon on you're team synnergized either, and many of you're sets just weren't very effective. Synnergy is very important in a pokemon team, each pokemon needs to cover the weaknesses of it's teammates. I hope that this post has taught you a valuable lesson on synnergy and teambuilding.

 

[Jayderson]

Change you're Serperior's Moveset and item
First thing's first is to change Serperior's item. Serperior doesn't care about burns or toxic because it's a special sweeper, so it switches out enough for toxic to not be a problem, and it doesn't care about the attack drop from burns. Thunder Wave is the only real problem, and you shouldn't waste your item slot on countering that. The extra power is much more useful. Secondly, if you want to run offensive Serperior, than do it. Using Synthesis and Giga Drain on an offensive Serperior is pointless, as it's a pokemon meant to set up fast and destroy it's opponents through sheer power. The set you're running removes extra utility from Serperior including Hidden Power Fire to deal with the ever-present Ferrothorn and Scizor, and Taunt to deal with stalling pokemon like Chansey. This Serperior set is much more useful than the one you had before.
Serperior @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power Fire
- Taunt
Replace Foretress with Excadrill
Hazard-stacking can work, but you're team lacks any sort of spinblocker, and your Foretress is destroyed by Taunt. Not only that, but you're team has no means of removing hazards. Finally, Foretress has no offensive presence whatsoever. Excadrill fixes all of these problems. By using Mold Breaker Excadrill, you can still set up rocks, but you can still hold your own and you aren't destroyed by taunt.
Excadrill @ Leftovers
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Replace Belly Drum Azumarill with a Banded Set
Considering you're new to the game, Belly Drum may seem like a powerful prospect. But later on, you'll find how hard it is to get an opportunity to set up with it. The only way to properly use the BD set is through careful planning and basing your entire team around it. I believe that for beginners attempting to get higher on the ladder, it's much easier to simply use the banded set instead. Azumarill's attack skyrockets with a Choice Band, and turns it into a potent wallbreaker with priority in Aqua Jet and a useful Fairy Typing. I believe you will have much more success with this set. Banded Azumarill + Serperior is also a very powerful offensive core that can break through many different pokemon together.
Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Superpower
Replace Sigilyph with Mega Charizard X
Now to be fair, Mega Charizard X and Sigilyph couldn't be more different, but Sigilyph really does nothing for your team. It's only a gimmik and not a useful set-up sweeper. I decided I would replace it with a better set-up sweeper, one that could become an instant threat in one turn. You also needed an offensive Fire type, as well as offensive dragon coverage. In the end, I chose Mega Charizard X as the best fit. With one Dragon Dance, this thing can become the most threatening thing on the field. Pokemon you'd think would be counters like Clefable can be broken through using this thing's amazing typing and potential power. This is one of the metagame's biggest threats, and a great fit on your team.
Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Claw
- Roost
Replace Gliscor with Thundurus
Again, I'm replacing a pokemon with something compleately different, but Gliscor did absolutely nothing for your team. Gliscor is one of those pokemon that looks good on paper, but overall, can't do too much in the metagame because of how outclassed it is. Instead, I chose to pick a pokemon that had a ground immunity as the team is pretty weak to ground, had ice and electric coverage, and synnergized with Mega Charizard X. Thundurus is the perfect pokemon for the job. Zard X hates Hippodown, Quagsire, and Mega Slowbro can be destroyed with Thundurus' grass knot. It also runs Thunder Wave + Prankster so you're team can outpace everything even more.
Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
Replace Bisharp with Tornadus-T
Bisharp could really be replaced by any pivot, as a pivot is the final thing you're team needs. But Rotom-W wouldn't have been as useful because you already have physically defensive pokemon on you're team, and Torn-T can also run Knock Off which compensates more for the loss of Bisharp. Finally, it gets more reliable recovery in regenerator, which is always useful. Torn-T runs Assault Vest, and should be switched in on pokemon it can counter like Keldeo or Serperior. Whenever you do switch it in, be sure to avoid using it's main attacks until late game, instead wearing the opposing team down with U-Turn and Knock Off. It's much stronger than it looks, and will help you against powerful special attackers, rounding your team off.
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hurricane
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Knock Off
This team is considerably more effective than it was before. I realize I replaced almost all the pokemon on you're team, and I really did try to avoid that, but you can't just throw six gimmick pokemon into a team. Pokemon like Serperior and Belly Drum Azumarill require their own seperate support, and you didn't give them the support they need. None of the pokemon on you're team synnergized either, and many of you're sets just weren't very effective. Synnergy is very important in a pokemon team, each pokemon needs to cover the weaknesses of it's teammates. I hope that this post has taught you a valuable lesson on synnergy and teambuilding.

I did everything you said, and the team works much better together! Thanks so much for the suggestions, and I'll keep synergizing in mind when I team build